Q&A
Ranger Tugs’ John Livingston

New Cutwater Boats
line will complement
existing offerings

By Doug Thompson

John Livingston, president of Ranger Tugs, went boating in his youth primarily in the Pacific Northwest, conquering the region’s huge tide changes, crossing the Straits of Juan De Fuca, and encountering the strong winds and rollers from the Pacific Ocean.

In 1999, John and his father Dave, Ranger Tugs’ vice president, bought the company from Howard “Smitty” Smithson, who founded it – then named Ranger Boat Co. – in 1958. The boats are still built in the same Kent, Washington, facility that Smithson used.

Now, the company is introducing the new Cutwater Boats line. Southern Boating’s Doug Thompson interviewed John on topics ranging from how Cutwater differs from Ranger Tugs, and the new technology his company is using.

SB: What is the philosophy behind the new Cutwater Boats line?
JL: We have had some success with our Ranger Tugs being fuel-efficient, diesel-powered, easy-to-operate trailerable boats. We took a look at the market and realized that there was an opportunity to build a boat that met these same parameters with more of a Down-east look. We also saw an opportunity for a diesel-powered trailerable boat that was faster than our Ranger Tugs. For the fisherman, we offer aft-station steering on our Cutwater 28.

SB: You are currently offering the Cutwater C26 and C28 models. Do you plan on expanding the model line?
JL: We are committed to the Cutwater Boat line and will continue to develop new models as we move forward.

SB: How do Cutwater Boats differ from Ranger Tugs?
JL: Styling, engine size, fish-ability, hull design and innovative features are some of the ways they will be different. We are including a rotating rumble seat, stepped hull, integrated radar arch, swim ladder off of the bow pulpit, and a single level cockpit and saloon in the Cutwater line.

SB: What is your customer base, and do you see it changing/evolving with Cutwater?
JL: Our customer base has been predominately baby boomers with the Ranger Tugs. We introduced the Cutwater brand at the Seattle Boat Show in January and noted that several of the buyers purchasing both Cutwater and Ranger Tugs were younger. Fuel efficiency is a big deal. Brand recognition is also playing a bigger and bigger role.

SB: What is new from Ranger Tugs?
JL: We introduced two new models in 2010: the R25sc in April 2010 and the R27 in June 2010. We will continue to make improvements to our current models based on our own use and customer feedback. We are committed to the Ranger Tug brand and will continue to develop new models as we move forward.

SB: What new technology are you using in your boats?
JL: We are offering solar panels on all of our boats. This makes it nice if you want to cruise “off the grid”. I would say that we like to use materials and systems that are proven. We pride ourselves in coming up with unique ideas on how to make a smaller space work. We are constantly being complimented for our use of space and smart ideas.

SB: You have been an avid boater since you were young. What type of boat do you enjoy the most, and where do you do most of your boating?
JL: My wife and I have two beautiful girls, ages 11 and 13. I grew up boating in the San Juan Islands and British Columbia. My girls love to be out cruising on one of our boats in the same waters that I grew up boating in. We are going on a cruise this summer to Desolation Sound with some of our customers. We call them “Tugnuts”. They are crazy about all of our boats and we are just as crazy about them.  [For more information, visit tugnuts.com.]

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